Also a candidate for the 2013 Bednarik Award, which also honors the nation’s top defensive player, Van Noy is a repeat selection to the Nagurski Trophy watch list. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound outside linebacker is coming off an All-America season in 2012 during which he finished tied for second nationally with 13 sacks and six forced fumbles and ranked No. 4 in the nation with 22 tackles for loss.

Van Noy, from Reno, Nev., is the only FBS player to record a stat in every major defensive category in each of the past two seasons. He has helped BYU achieve bowl wins during each of his three seasons in Provo.

Headlining the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Award is South Carolina junior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. He's the lone returning finalist from last season.

Van Noy is one of the 81 players and 27 linebackers on the watch list, which also includes 28 defensive linemen and 26 defensive backs. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the national defensive player of the year by the FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club.